UT-Dallas will again be holding clinics on programming Mindstorms for FIRST LEGO League. The clinics are offered all day, with a beginning programming clinic from 9a-12p and intermediate programming clinic from 1p-4p.

UTD’s Coaches Clinics are free of charge, but we ask that you pre-register for the eventso that we can communicate event details directly to you and have an estimate of attendance size. Attendance is limited to coaches, mentors, and up to two team members.

In each clinic session we will provide opportunities for attendees to try some (not all) exercises using their own robots and laptops. We won’t be providing any robots or laptops at the clinics, so you need to bring your own if you want to do that. Be sure your laptops and robots are fully charged, as there may not be power outlets available. Also make sure your laptop has the EV3 Mindstorms software already installed on it, and that you’ve been able to get it to communicate with your robot (e.g., with a USB cable). Even if you’re using an NXT robot, we recommend using the EV3 software to program it.

If you don’t have a robot already, we recommend building the “Educator Vehicle (with attachments)” for the clinics. This is the robot typically used for demonstrations. The instructions for this build are included in the EV3 Education Kit, and you can also find a PDF download at the top of http://robotsquare.com/2013/10/01/education-ev3-45544-instruction/ .

Of course, don’t feel as though you need to bring a laptop and robot to the clinics. Many coaches and members have found that it’s much easier to just watch, listen, take notes, and ask questions. And it’s always helpful to have people around who can help troubleshoot others’ programs and robots.

In each clinic there is a lot of material to cover in a short period of time, so please arrive on-time and be prepared that we’ll be proceeding at a fairly good pace.

Beginning Programming topics

Overview of EV3 Programming environment and programming basics

Motor block basics — moving forward and backward

Turning using a gyro sensor (EV3 robots only)

Using “port view” and “view mode” to see sensor values

Detecting lines, borders, and colors

Simple My Blocks (creating blocks for turning and missions)

Intermediate Programming topics

Programming and robot game strategy

Loops and sensor blocks

Moving along a heading with gyros

Line following / edge following

Specifying distances in centimeters

Understanding navigation error

Also, Builderdude35 created a YouTube video about using the gyro for driving the robot.